Fizzy Drinks Can Cause Premature Aging

Need another reason to kick the cola habit? The phosphates in colas and other soft drinks that give them their tangy bite can cause premature aging. Researchers at Harvard University found that phosphates accelerate aging by causing skin and muscles to shrivel, and also damage the heart and kidneys.

"Humans need a healthy diet, and keeping the balance of phosphate in the diet may be important for a healthy life and longevity," M. Shawkat Razzaque, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Medicine, Infection and Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, said in a statement.

Razzaque and his colleagues examined the effects of high phosphates in three groups of mice. The first group was missing the klotho gene which caused them to have toxic levels of phosphates in their bodies and a lifespan of eight to 15 weeks. The second group was also missing the klotho gene as well as a second gene (NaPi2a) that when absent together, lowers the amount of phosphate and gave them a lifespan of 20 weeks. The third group was genetically the same as the second group (missing both genes), except it was fed a high-phosphate diet.

The third group of mice died by 15 weeks, just like the first group, suggesting that the additional amount of phosphate was fatal.

Phosphates may have a similar effect on humans, suggest the researchers.

In recent years, researchers have discovered many reasons to ban sodas from your diet including raising the risk of diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, dental problems, brain disorders, gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure, and kidney stones. And a study released in February found that drinking two or more soft drinks a week increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by two-fold compared to people who do not drink soft drinks.

"Soda is the caffeine delivery vehicle of choice for millions of people worldwide, but comes with phosphorous as a passenger," Dr. Gerald Weissmann, editor in chief of the FASEB Journal, said in a statement. "This research suggests that our phosphorous balance influences the aging process, so don't tip it."

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